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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:May 4, 2008
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If this incident somehow results in Lawson returning to North Carolina, I don't see anyone beating the Heels for the National Championship. Not only would they have incredible overall talent, but they would have that coveted one-two punch with a dominant point guard and a dominant post player. Of course, I probably said the same exact thing a year ago at this very moment...but I still say that North Carolina - with Lawson - is a hands-down preseason #1 choice.
That said...I don't see a DUI scaring off teams to the point that Lawson ends up in the second round or anything. But, stranger things have happened I guess.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 3, 2006
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There's something that you, and Parrish for that matter, are overlooking completely. Team chemistry. Let's say Lawson does come back: As Parrish said, he clearly doesn't want to be there and he's already created a gulf between he and the fans by criticizing them publicly. The other players know he doesn't want to be there (frankly, neither do Ellington or Green but that's another matter). On paper they would look like a #1, but in the locker room the atmosphere might be like #2! He's not coming back, but even if he does the damage has been done to the cohesiveness of that team.
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Level:Amateur
Since:Jun 7, 2008
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Gary Parrish is a garbage journalist who doesn't have anything better to write than these speculation pieces.
If he were a real journalist, he would have been in Orlando talking to people, making calls, and getting scoops--you know, the kind of things that actual journalists do. Instead, he gives us a garbage piece premised on the claim that Lawson won't get drafted because of the arrest. But anyone who bothers to do a five minute Google search can see that this was flatly contradicted by Marty Blake, the NBA's director of scouting, who announced immediately after the incident that Lawson's draft status would be unaffected. http://www.wral.com/sports/story/30
05044/
It took me five seconds to find that link, and I'm not even being paid to cover this! Yet a CBS reporter seems to be unaware of it.
If Parrish is not going to do any real reporting of his own, he should at least take the time to read the reporting of others. Why CBS wastes bandwidth on this garbage I will never know.
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Reputation:69
Level:Pro
Since:Mar 2, 2007
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North Carolina the #1 Team??? I don't think so..especially if Green and Ellington stay in the draft. And Ty Hansbrough is a tough player but he has no Back to the basket game... he has to muscle his way to the basket all the time, and can't match up w/ longer more athletic forwards (as seen in the F4 game against Kansas). N. Carolina is going to be good but I just don't think there is a CLEAR CUT #1. You can throw teams like UCLA in the mix but the incoming players haven't proved anything on the D1 hardwood.
Next year is going to be exciting because it's like a fresh start for College basketball...Most of the stars are gone and it's time for the Frosh, sophs and unknowns to step up...
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:May 4, 2008
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KU...you certainly might be right, but I don't see Green and Ellington both staying in the draft. In fact, I think both are coming back. And, while I agree somewhat with your "fresh start" premise, even in a year where everyone might be starting fresh, SOMEONE will begin the year at #1. And my money would still be on North Carolina.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jul 8, 2007
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did i just see someone say hansbrough has NO BACK TO THE BASKET GAME?????? im just going to ignore that.
addressing other points... the team chemistry will be fine. the other guys on the team know he was trying to make millions of dollars, just as ellington and green and psychot considered. im pretty sure theyll forgive him.
ellington and green will both VERY likely be coming back. ellingtons performance at the camps have done nothing to help him, and green, who was underwhelming before his injury, now might not even be drafted.
and the fans? were going to cheer for him. idiots on facebook aside, unc has as big a fan base as anyone. there are a whole lot of REAL unc fans, who will cheer for lawson and the heels no matter what.
im not going to predict anything, but with lawson back, theres no way we dont get significantly better than this past final 4 season.
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 2, 2007
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Simply put, Ellington and Green are most likley coming back. If Lawson comes back UNC will return all 5 starters and all top subs except Stepheson, who likley wouldn't have gotten many minutes anyway, from their final-4 team. In addition, they have a very good recruiting class coming in. They would have to be the clear favourites.
If Lawson goes, I'd guess they will still be pre-season #1, but I'm not sure if they will deserve that ranking. Top 2 or 3 for sure though.
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